Cllr Eddy Adam was being modest last week when he announced he was not standing for re-election.
I have known Eddy since about 1975. In 1976, he and I put forward some motions regarding Sedgefield District Council and some of its corrupt practices, we lost the first vote by one, but won the second and from that moment on, Eddy and I launched a wave of reform in the Labour Party which swept all before it. The pages of history turns on small hinges. In the 1983 Town Council Elections, Eddy and I, and his wife Julie, were all elected at the age of 24/25 in West Ward 1, when we took control. Moderate and progressive. We both had full heads of hair too, time can be so cruel. Eddy has served over 26 years on Great Aycliffe Town Council, as well as 12 years on Durham County Council. We had our ups and downs, as is the nature of politics, over the years, but, where we disagreed, we always agreed to disagree without being disagreeable. The public interest was always first and foremost.
Eddy was always there at the forefront with me, rock solid, integrity, ability and dedicated solely to the public interest, not self or party. I well understand Eddy’s reasons for not standing again, however, personally, I will miss his knowledge, experience and wisdom from the Council Chamber as will the Council. Despite Eddy being Labour and I Independent, we very worked closely for the betterment of our community. I wish him and Julie well for the future and personally, as well as, no doubt the whole Council, thank him for his tireless service to the people of Newton Aycliffe.
Another long standing Councillor Ian Gray (Labour), is also stepping down, Ian will continue to lead the Great Aycliffe Tidy Team, as well as his many other works on the environment, but again, I would thank him for his public service and dedication.
Cllr Arun Chandran.